The UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 is now accepting applications from eligible doctoral students and early career researchers who want to conduct research at leading international institutions. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), this programme supports research placements in the United States, Japan, China and South Africa.
- UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 Details
- UKRI International Placement Scheme Benefits
- Eligible Countries and Host Institutions
- Eligibility Criteria
- Available Research Fields
- Required Documents
- How to Apply for UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027
- Application Deadline
- Selection Process and Application Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Successful applicants can receive funding for international travel, visa expenses and monthly living costs during placements lasting two to five months. Awards range from £2,070 to £18,500, depending on the host institution and placement duration.
This opportunity is particularly valuable for researchers working in history, literature, languages, cultural studies, heritage and other arts and humanities disciplines.
However, the programme is not open to every international student. Applicants must meet specific AHRC doctoral funding or UK-based early career researcher eligibility requirements.
UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | International Placement Scheme 2027 |
| Funding organisation | UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) |
| Funding council | Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Host countries | USA, Japan, China and South Africa |
| Eligible applicants | AHRC-funded PhD students and eligible UK-based early career researchers |
| Research areas | Arts and Humanities |
| Funding | £2,070–£18,500 |
| Placement duration | 2–5 months |
| Applications opened | November 2, 2026 |
| Application deadline | March 9, 2027 |
| Application method | UKRI Funding Service |
The UKRI International Placement Scheme offers researchers access to specialist collections, archives, academic facilities and professional networks that may not be available through their home institutions.
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UKRI International Placement Scheme Benefits
The UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 provides financial support based on the destination and approved placement period.
Successful applicants may receive:
- A one-off allowance for international travel.
- Funding toward visa-related expenses.
- Monthly financial support for accommodation and living expenses.
- Assistance with local transportation and subsistence costs.
- Access to specialist research collections and institutional resources.
- Opportunities to collaborate with international researchers and academic specialists.
- Participation in relevant seminars, academic activities and professional networks.
- Additional disability-related support where approved by AHRC.
The maximum award is £18,500, but applicants should not assume that every placement receives this amount.
Funding varies considerably between institutions.
For example, placements at the Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution in the United States can receive monthly living allowances of up to £3,500, while placements at Japan’s National Institutes for the Humanities can receive up to £1,700 per month.
UKRI pays the approved placement funding to the eligible UK research organisation, which must provide the full award amount to the researcher in advance of the placement.
This arrangement helps successful applicants organise travel and accommodation before departure.
The programme does not automatically provide free university tuition or a new degree scholarship.
Eligible Countries and Host Institutions
Although the placements take place internationally, eligibility depends on the applicant’s academic funding or employment status in the United Kingdom, rather than simply their nationality.
The participating host institutions are:
United States
- Harry Ransom Center
- Huntington Library
- Library of Congress
- Smithsonian Institution
- Yale Centre for British Art
Japan
- National Institutes for the Humanities (NIHU)
China
- Shanghai Theatre Academy
South Africa
- Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, with the British Institute in Eastern Africa as a supporting institution
Applicants should choose an institution whose collections, facilities and research expertise directly support their proposed project.
The host institution must offer a meaningful research opportunity that cannot be adequately completed through resources already available in the United Kingdom or online.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements established by UKRI and AHRC.
For doctoral students:
- Be currently funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
- Be undertaking a doctoral programme during the funded period of the award.
- Propose research related to an AHRC-supported subject area.
- Obtain approval from their supervisor and UK research organisation.
- Provide their relevant AHRC doctoral training grant reference.
- Demonstrate how the placement supports their existing doctoral research.
For early career researchers:
- Be employed and supported by a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding.
- Have an employment contract covering at least the proposed grant period.
- Hold a doctorate by the grant start date or demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience and training.
- Conduct research within an eligible arts and humanities subject.
- Obtain approval from their head of department.
- Demonstrate how the placement will strengthen their research and professional development.
UKRI does not impose a fixed number of years since PhD completion for early career researcher status.
Researchers returning from career breaks or changing academic career paths may also qualify, provided they meet the programme requirements.
International researchers working at eligible UK institutions may be considered if they satisfy the relevant eligibility conditions.
However, students studying outside the UK without the required AHRC funding or eligible UK research organisation affiliation should not assume they can apply.
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Available Research Fields
The UKRI International Placement Scheme primarily supports research in arts and humanities disciplines.
Relevant fields may include:
- History and historical research
- Literature and literary studies
- Linguistics and languages
- Archaeology and heritage studies
- Cultural and area studies
- Museum and archival research
- Philosophy and related humanities disciplines
- Art history and visual culture
- Music, theatre and performing arts
- Design and creative research
Research projects must fall within AHRC’s subject remit and align with the resources and expertise of the selected host institution.
Applicants should explain why international access is essential for their research rather than selecting a host simply because of its location or reputation.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the information and supporting materials required by the UKRI Funding Service and the 2027 funding opportunity.
These may include:
- Applicant’s academic and employment information.
- Current AHRC grant reference, where applicable.
- Research proposal describing the planned international placement.
- Explanation of the proposed host institution and its relevant resources.
- Proposed research activities, objectives and expected outcomes.
- Placement timetable and requested duration.
- Travel and living expense budget.
- Details of relevant research experience and skills.
- Supervisor or head of department statement of support.
- Host supervisor information, where required.
- Information about professional development and international collaboration plans.
The exact application questions, supporting information and word limits must follow the official UKRI Funding Service requirements.
Applicants should avoid uploading additional documents unless requested.
For placements at NIHU and the Smithsonian Institution, prior contact with the host is required to identify and secure an appropriate supervisor and discuss the proposed research.
How to Apply for UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027
Applications must follow the official UKRI process.
- Visit the official UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 funding opportunity page.
- Read the eligibility conditions and confirm that you qualify as an AHRC-funded doctoral student or eligible early career researcher.
- Choose a host institution relevant to your research interests.
- Review the host’s research collections, facilities and available expertise.
- Contact the potential host early to discuss the proposed placement and research resources.
- Obtain the necessary approval from your doctoral supervisor or head of department.
- Prepare a clear research proposal explaining why the international placement is necessary.
- Complete the required application information through the UKRI Funding Service.
- Review your budget, placement dates and supporting information carefully.
- Submit the application before the official deadline.
Applicants interested in Japan’s NIHU institutions must arrange prior consultation with a potential host at least six weeks before submitting their application.
Some NIHU research collections require advanced Japanese language ability, while other institutes may only recommend basic conversational Japanese.
Applicants may apply to more than one host institution during the same round, but each application must propose distinct research activities, with no overlapping placement dates.
The combined placement period cannot exceed five months.
Application Deadline
The official deadline for the UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 is:
March 9, 2027, at 4:00 PM UK time.
Applications opened on November 2, 2026.
UKRI will not accept applications submitted after the closing time.
Applicants should also check whether their university or research organisation has an earlier internal deadline for reviewing and approving funding applications.
Placement start dates depend on the host institution and approved research duration.
For placements lasting five months, the start date must be no later than November 1, 2027. Placements lasting two to four months should begin no later than February 1, 2028.
Researchers should also allow sufficient time for travel planning and visa arrangements.
Selection Process and Application Tips
UKRI first checks whether applications meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Eligible applications are then reviewed by relevant experts at the proposed host institutions, with AHRC moderating the assessments.
The selection process considers the academic value of the proposed research, the suitability of the international host, the necessity of overseas travel and the feasibility of the research plan.
Applicants can strengthen their proposals by following these recommendations:
- Clearly identify the collections, archives or facilities they intend to use.
- Explain why equivalent resources are unavailable in the UK or online.
- Demonstrate how the placement supports their existing research.
- Prepare a realistic timetable with achievable research outcomes.
- Describe potential collaborations with researchers and professional networks.
- Provide accurate funding calculations based on the chosen institution.
- Discuss the proposed placement with their supervisor and host institution before applying.
A strong proposal should explain not only what the researcher wants to study, but also why the selected international institution is essential to completing that work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 fully funded?
The scheme provides approved travel, visa and monthly living expense funding. The amount varies by host institution and placement duration, with awards ranging from £2,070 to £18,500.
2. Can international students apply?
International nationality does not automatically exclude someone, but applicants must meet the programme’s strict eligibility requirements. Doctoral applicants must be AHRC-funded, while early career researchers must be supported by an eligible UK research organisation.
3. What is the duration of the research placement?
Placements generally last between two and five months, depending on the host institution.
4. Is IELTS required?
The official programme guidance does not establish a universal IELTS requirement. However, applicants must possess the language skills necessary to complete their proposed research, and some Japanese host collections require advanced Japanese proficiency.
5. Can applicants choose more than one host institution?
Yes. Separate applications are permitted for distinct research projects, provided placement dates do not overlap and the combined duration does not exceed five months.
6. What is the final application deadline?
The deadline is March 9, 2027, at 4:00 PM UK time. Individual universities may impose earlier internal deadlines.
Final Thoughts
The UKRI International Placement Scheme 2027 offers an excellent opportunity for eligible doctoral students and early career researchers to expand their academic experience through funded international research placements.
With access to respected cultural and research institutions in the USA, Japan, China and South Africa, successful participants can strengthen their research, develop professional connections and gain valuable international experience.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements, identify a suitable host institution and prepare a convincing research proposal before the deadline.
For more opportunities, explore Global Scholarship Point’s Fellowships and Internships sections.
Official Application and Programme Information:
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Author: Muhammad Khayam Afridi — Founder & Editor
Last verified: November 6, 2026
